CIS

Certified Incentive Specialist

CIS

With over 2,250 graduates from 56 countries, the CIS designation is designed to elevate your career and enhance your skills in delivering extraordinary motivational experiences worldwide. Whether you are a recent college graduate or an experienced travel professional newly employed in a large corporation’s meeting and incentive planning department, the CIS program is ideal for anyone “new” to the dynamic world of incentive travel. The CIS workshop is open to both SITE members and non-members!

Workshop Content

The curriculum covers the fundamentals of incentive program design, factors that motivate enhanced levels of performance, and the beneficial relationship between incentive travel and business outcomes. Sessions include:

Fundamentals of incentives
Origins of incentive programs and incentive travel
The value chain
The value proposition of motivational programs and non-cash awards
Market composition
The makings of a program and program budget
Industry tools and platforms
And much more!

The exam is administered online and consists of multiple-choice questions. Once registered, you may take the test as many times as needed until you achieve the designated passing score.

When can I take the course & exam?

Online Exam

Study for the CIS and take the exam when convenient for your schedule. This option is entirely self-paced.

Hybrid Cohorts

Modules are self-paced and live optional office hours with an instructor will be offered weekly. All office hour sessions will be recorded and posted online. Students will have two weeks to complete the exam after the exam preparation class.

2025 hybrid cohorts will begin on:

January 15 (weekly discussions at 10 AM CT | 4 PM London | 3 AM Sydney (+1 day))
April 30 (weekly discussions at 3 PM CT | 9 PM London | 8 AM Sydney (+1 day))
August 13 (weekly discussions at 10 AM CT | 4 PM London | 3 AM Sydney (+1 day))
October 15 (weekly discussions at 8 AM CT | 2 PM London | 1 AM Sydney (+1 day))

Sponsored In-Person Workshop

If you have a group of 10+ incentive professionals or are otherwise interested in hosting a private, in-person delivery of CIS to your organization, please contact Samantha Nicastro to learn more.

Take the CIS course

What does it cost?

CIS Online (self-paced)

SITE Member: $295 USD
Non-Member: $495 USD (includes one year SITE membership*)

CIS Hybrid (on-demand content combined with live virtual office hours)

SITE Member: $495 USD
Non-Member: $695 USD (includes one year SITE membership*)

*SITE membership is prorated for the remainder of the calendar year in which the CIS course occurs and is only valid for individuals who have not previously been members of SITE.

Take the CIS course